Clutch mechanism



L. E. CONNER.

CLUTCH ME-cHA-Nlsm. APPLICATION FILE-umn: 4. 191B. 1,41 5, 1 50.Patented May 9, 1922'.

a SHEETS- SHEET l.

L. E. CONNER.

cLuTcH MECHAmsM.

` APPLICATION FILED 10H54, |918.

1,415,1 50. Patented May 9, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

atto! mz 116- L. E. CONNER. CLUTCH MECHANISM.

g Amlcmou mw June 4. 191s.

' 1,415,1 50. mma May 9, 1922.

LE.' Carme;

nieren stares rarest: orFlcE.

LAWRENCE E. CONNER, OIE' JACKSON, MICHIGAN..

I CLUTCH, Mi'ioiaNIsi/L y Specification of Letters Patent.` Patented 9,1922.

Application led .Tune 4, 1918. Serial No. 238,211.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, LAWRENCE E'. CONNER,

r a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Jackson, in thecounty of Jackson and when the parts are engaged, and when the in an oilbath.

parts are being moved into interlocking position; wherein theinerteffect of thev driven member is relatively slight; wherein ythein-l terlocking of the parts is automatically controlled and is gradualregardless of how suddenly the control lever is released so that theforce applied to the driven shafty isv taken up smoothly andgraduallyfwithout jerking or vibration; a clutch which always delivers agiven predetermined force at a given engagement and at a given speed ofthe drive member, regardless of climatic and other conditions; a clutchwherein the parts may be interlocked with ease as each part of thedriving Vmember shifts independently of the other and when transmittingno power; and a clutch wherein with a given speed of the drive member,torque transmitted is proportional to amount of engagem'ent.

The invention also aims at the provision of a clutch mechanism embodyingthe above advantages and which is of all metal construction, eliminatingleather, fabric or other friction substances usually employed and whichoverheat, slip, char and rapidly wear out; and a clutch mechanism whichis strong and durable and operates constantly The above, and variousother objects and advantages of this invention will bein partunderstood, and in part become apparent, from the following detaileddescription of the present preferred embodiment, the same 'l ings,wherein being illustratedjin the accompanyingL draw- VFigure l is alongitudinalA section taken through a clutch `mechanism constructedaccordlng to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary transverse; secn tion through the same takensubstantially on the plane indicated by the line 2:-2 in Fig. l anddisclosing one of the supporting collars for the coupling member.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the rocker armsemployed. f

AFigure 4 is a transverse section taken through theclutch mechanism inthe plane indicated by the line 4-4 in Fig. 1, and

disclosing the inner side of the coupling rocker member and the adjacentends of the arms adapted to grip the same.

Figure 5 is an elevation or tne outer'side ofthe cam wheel or membercarried upon the drive shaft, showing the controlling devices for thegripping arm.

Figure 6 is adetail sectional view through one of the controllingdevicesk taken on the plane Vindicated by the line 66 in Fig. 5, andshowing the shiftable wedge and arranged between the outerends of therocker arms.

Figure 7 isia similar view takensubstantially on the plane indicated bylthe -line 7-7 in Fig. 5, and showing the guard support and springemployed in connection with the tension means.

Figure 8 is a like view taken substantiallyV on the plane indicated bythe line 8-8 ink Fig. 5, and showing one of the guiding straps and guardsupports for the i tensioning means.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Fig. 4 disclosing a siightly modified`form of the means Y for regulating the gripping of the coupling member.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, l0 and 11 designate respectivelydrive and driven shafts which may be the crank shaft of an internalcombustion engine, andy a shaft l() by a collar 13 integral with theshaft and transverse bolts 14C clamping through the collar or flange andthe fly wheel.. The

shafts 1() and 11 are arranged in axial alignment, and the adjacent endof the driven shaft 11 is preferably stepped in the inner face of -theflywheel 12 and fitted with a com,-

' bination` thrust bearing or support for the driven shaft. An outerbearing or support 15 is provided for the driven shaft 11 andvis spacedfrom the flywheel y12. Y

. The portion of the driven shaft 11 between the flywheel and thebearing is noncircular in'cross section, preferably rectanguiar-asshown7 and the shaft 11 is provided near its inner end .with a fixedcollar or plate 16 to which-are secured the ends of opposed pairsof-guide'rods 17 which eX- tend longitudinally of the driven shaft 11atv opposite` sides thereof.. The juidegrodsv 17 are shouldered and havetheir reduced end portions engaging through the collar 1G and held`thereto by clamping bolts oli-.the like. The-other ends of the rods 17arepreferably screw-threaded andV arel detachably engaged in a secondplate 'or collar 18 proV` vided with an axial non-circular openingadapted to receive the driven shaft 11 therethrough.

The guiderods 17 carry a coupling inember comprising diametricallyopposed' disc ,sections 19l and 20 which, together, forni al vcomplete.disc of circular contour adapted to surroundthedriven shaft 11. `Theinner end ofeach of the sections 19V and 2O is eny larged toformga hubportion Vand isv apertured to receive the. rods 17 therethrough.

The sections 19'and'20 of the coupling mem-` ber are adapted toindependently slide longitudinally of the rods 17 and of the .shaftl 11toward and from the fiywheel 12. Each section 19 and 2O of thecoupling'member is provided with an outwardly keXtendii/ig connectingrod 21 which is threaded or otherwise secured at one end to theadjacenty section, and which extends longitudinally of the driven'shaft11 and through'relatively" large openings 22 formed in the outer plateor collar 18. A shifting collar' 23 is slid.- ably mounted upon thedriven shaft v11 and is adapted to turn therewith, and is providedwithtransverse openings in. register with the rods 21 to receive the` sametherethrough.. The rods 21 are headed upon their outer ends adapted toengage the outer surface of the shifting collar 23 for drawing the 'rods21 outwardly when the shifting collar is slid longitudinally upon theshaft l1 away from the flywheel 12. 'lhecollar 23 isprovided with theusual annular groove 4v211 within which engages a fork 25 of a shiftinglever 26,- which latter be pivoted at 27 inV any suitable manner. Aspring 28 surrounds 4eachrod 21 and engages at one end againstV theinner side of the shifting collar 23 and atfits other endl against anadjustable washer or nut 29 whichV is mountedI `upon the inner end offthe rod 21. he

Vstantially frusto conical springs 28 are adapted to normally hold theshifting collar 23 against the heads of the rods 21.V The springs 28also form means for yieldingly yholding the collar 23 for movement in` adirection towards theV coupling member, and are Vadapted to urge the'coupling member toward the iiy wheel 12 when the shifting collar-'23lis advanced toward theywheel 12. The shiftingy collar -23 isprovidedwith a spring seat V30 in its outer face adapted to receive :theadjacent.V end of a main spring 31 which surrounds` the driven shaft 11`and which bears at its other end against a collar or'shoulder 32 `formedupon thedriven shaftnear the bearing or support 15. The coupling memberis provided with a laterally extending nular wedge 33 in the form offlange which is provided with interior'and exterior surfaces.The'annular wedge 33 tapers inwardly from the disc or body yof thecoupling member toward the flywheel 12, and is provided at its free edgeportion with a concentric vflange part 341, the inner and.

outer faces of which are preferably cylin-- drical and concentric. Thewedgev 33, however, has its inner and'outer faces of subcross Vsectionalshape, as shown in Fig. 1, the faces diverging toward the body part ofthe coupling member and forming a'wedge extendinglon- I gitudinallyjof..theV Vdriven shaft. 11. The

couplingV member has its M'annular wedge provided with spaceddepressions formed in the inner and outer faces of 'the annular wedge33, the depressionsV registering and beingv uniformly spacedvv apart toprovide circumferentially extending wedges-for a purpose hereinafter setforth'. V he 'wedges therefore have operating ori-cam faces in registerwith ,each other and whichv are inthe coupling member. providedV in itsinner face with an annular outwardly flaring-groove35 adapted to receivethe wedge 33 therein when the cou-` pling member is advanced toward theflywheel.

Theflywheel 12 is provided, one sideiai Vclined in a direction of theaXisof the clutch and; also circumferentially with respect to TheAllvwheel 12 is 1^ of the drive shaft 10 with a pair of circularly spacedapart radially extending slots n one-side with a'depression 39' adaptedto receive Ythe progections 37. progection 37 lis cylindrical, and.tlie'recess 39 is similarly formed to admit of t'herockiso ing of thearm 38 upon the projection. F rom Fig. 1, it will be noted that theinner walls of the slots 36 flare toward the opposite sides of theflywheel to clear the opposite ends ofthe arms 38 and admit of the freerocking thereof. y Y

rPhe inner ends of the arms 38 are provided with contact rollers 40adapted to engage against the opposite Vfaces of the annular wedge 33and to ride over the cam faces thereof.

Means is provided for yieldingly separating the outer ends of each pairof arms 38 for urging the rollers 40 against the annular wedge One meansfor accomplishing this result is shown in Fig. 5, and wherein the outerface of the flywheel 12 carries a pair of arcuate wedges 41 having theirtapering ends adjacent each other and provided with relatively flatarcuate shanlrs 42 engaging through-straps 43 secured to the iace of theflywheel. The straps 43 are provided with guide rails 44 which are ofarcuate form and which are adapted to engage against the outer faces ornthe wedges 41 for holding them against the flywheel. Between theadjacent ends of the wedges, thc flywheel 12 lis providedwith a strap orhousing 45 through which may project the reduced ends of the wedges 41,and which is adapted` to house or cover a contraction spring 46 which issecured tc the adjacent 'tionsof the springs 48 for collapsing thereduced ends ofV the wedges 41 and is adapted to urge the same together.Thev guide or retaining rails 44 ymay be connected to the housing 45,and may be integral therewith as shown. u

The outer ends of the arms 38 are provided withrollers 47 which engagethe opposite inclined edges of thev wedges 41, and which'under theaction of the wedge 33 are adapted to force the arcuate wedges 41 awayfrom each other.

is a modification of' thismeans for holding the outer ends of the arms38 apart, Fig. 9 shows the flywheel12 with pairs of elliptic springs 48supported upon a bracket 49. The outer ends of the arms 38 are providedwith ears or projections 50 which bear directly against the outwardlybowed porsprings to a more or less extent when the rollern 40 the innerside of the flywheel are separated by the cam f ,ln both embodiments ofthe invention, the cuter ends cf the arms 38 are yieldingly heldapart-so as to bind the rollers 40 against the opposite faces of'k thecam 33 and thus cause the coupling member to gradually take up thecourse and rotation of `the flywheel 12. I

The cams formed on the annular wedge 33 are spaced apart a distancerelative to the location of the pairs of rocher arms 38 te position onepair ci' the' rollers 40 on the highest point of the cams while theother pair of rollers 40 is just beginning to engage the next adjacentcam. 'By this arrangement, a constant course yor talreup` is providedbetween the coupling member andthe flywheel. This arrangement alsoeliminates jars, shock and vibration of; the members se that the drivenshaft 11 gradually and evenly taires up the speed ci rotation and thecourse of the drive member 10.

In operation, the spring 31 normally urges the shifting collar 23 towardthe flywheel.

The springs 28 are compressed against ythe.

rods 21 and urge the same together with the coupling member toward theflywheel. As the coupling member is formed in twoparts, the parts arepermitted to advance inde` pendently of each other toward the flywheeland thus take up inaccuracies of alignment and lgradually engage the;coupling member between the rollers 40. Normally, the concentric flange34 of the coupling member engages between the rollers 40 and holds thearms 38 apart at their inner ends suihciently to retain the arms fromdisplacement from the flywheel. When in this position, the

spring 46 of the arcuate wedges 41 draws the n wedges together andmaintains the wedges under tension against the outer rollers 47 te holdthe outer ends of the arms 38 apart and prevent vibration ordisplacement 'of the parts.

The springs 28 serve to yieldingly urge' the coupling members 19 and 20toward the flywheel, and cause the annular wedge 33 to gradually work inbetween the rollers 40 and raise the same upon the lcam faces of thewedge. As the wedge 33 is advanced toward the iiywheel, the pressure ofthe wedge is transmitted throughthe arms 38 and the.y

member must be advanced to a greater eX- tent toward the flywheel Vse asto overcome the inertia of the driven parts.

Pressure upon the upper end of the lever 26 swings the latter and movesthe shifting collar 23 baclr` against the tension of the spring 31. Theheads of the rods 21 engage lthe collar-23 and the rods together withthe coupling member are drawn back from the flywheel 12. As the annularwedge 33 is` withdrawnfrom between the rollers 40, the spring 46 drawsthe arcuate wedges 41 toioo gether and the arms 38 are retained in placeand are held from vibration.

1When the parts of the clutch mechanism are in full driving relation,the arms 38 and rollers 40 are stationary relativer to the cam surfacesof the coupling member and in wedged relation with the cam extension onthe coupling members Any tendency of oscillatory movement of the arcuatewedges 4l will be prevented by the 4contractile spring 46, which springmaintains a constant pressure between the arcuate wedges el and therollers 47. The projections 3T y act `as fulcrums for the rocker arms 38and tions 50 of the arms against. the elliptic v springs 48,compressingJ the latter to a more or less extent and transmitting thepressure of the springs through the arms to the wedge 33. The furtherthe wedge 33 is advanced toward the flywheel, the greater will be theAcompression of the springs 48 with the result that the coupling memberwill take up the course and speed of rotation of the nywheel Y, 'l2proportionate to the rate atwhich it is rotated. Y Y Y I Y It 1s ofcourse understood that various other modifications and changes may bemade in the details vof construction and de-v sign of theiabovespecifically described embodiment ofthis invention without departingfrom the spirit thereof, the changes and modifications being restrictedonly bythe `scope of the following claims.

l claim:

l. ln` a clutch, the combination of drive and driven members, a.flywheel carried upon the drive member, a shiftable coupling inembermounted on' the driven member, said coupling member having an annularwedge extending toward the flywheel, a pair of arms mounted on theflywheel, spring means yieldinglyf urging the arms together at theirinner ends, said annular wedge being adapted to engage the inner ends oftheyarms to spread the saine apart foryieldingly and graduallyconnecting the` coupling member to the flywheel, andA said annular wedgeprovided with registering circumferential rows of-` cams uponthe innerand outer faces of the wedge adapted to receive the'inner ends of saidarms thereagainst.

2. In a clutch, the combination of drive and driven shafts, a fly wheelmounted on the drive shaft, a two-part coupling member mounted on thedriven shaft and provided with an annular wedge projecting toward theflywheel,saidt wedge providedV with ak circumferential row of cams onthe opposite faces of the wedge, spring pressed arms mounted on theflywheel and adapted to en-v at one Vend against the opposite faces ofthe wedge, a spring carriedby the driven shaft engaging the coupling`member' to advance thesame toward the flywheel, independent springelements arrangedbetween for yieldingly urging the outer ends ofthe armsapart, a coupling member mounted,v

upon the driven shaft and provided with anV annular wedge extendingtoward the flywheel, a springV on the driven shaft adapted to advancethe coupling member towardthe flywheel and' bindv said annular wedge`between the inner ends of said arms, saidvannular wedge having acircumferential row of'Y cams adapted to engage said arms for graduallyconnecting .the coupling membertothe flywheel, means for normallyurging' theVV coupling member toward the flywheel,4 and,

releasing means connecte'dto thecoupling member for retracting it fromthe flywheel. ln a clutch,the combination of Adrive and driven shafts, aflywheel mounted on v said .drive shaft and having va recesstlierein,

a pair yof armsfcarried by the flywheel in said recess, spring means forurging theinner ends of the arms together, a slidable two part couplingmember mounted onv the driven shaft, spring means for projecting thecoupling member, independent spring means arranged between said springmeans and the parts of theA coupling member for moving said parts towardthe flywheel, re-

leasing means connected vtosaid parts of the coupling member forwithdrawing the same from the flywheel, an annular wedge conk nected tothe coupling member and exten-ding toward theflywheel, and having camfaces for engagement against theinner ends of the arms and adapted toyieldably and Vgradually force the arms apart, saidA recess in theflywheel being annular and adapted to receive said cam faces of theannular wedge thereinyf l .l

5. In a'clutc'h, the combination of Vdrive and driven means, a flywheelmounted on said' drive means, a pair lof members supported -by'theflywheel, means for yieldably forcing theinner ends of said pair ofmembers together, a slidable'two part coupling member mounted upon thedriven means,

spring means adapted to project the coupling member toward the llyWbeeL,independent spring means arranged between said rst spring means and theparts of the coupling Amember to move said parte of the coupling membertoward the iywneel, releasing` means connected to said parts forWithdrawng the same from the flywheel, Wedging means connected to a artof the coupling member and projecting in the direction of the ywheei andbeing cammed for engagement against the inner ends of said pair ofmembers to gradually 'force the said pair of members apart.

LAWRENCE E. CQNNER,

